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Hoof trimmers benefit from ruggedized computer system
Hoof Supervisor, a new computerized chute-side data recording system, enables hoof trimmers to collect, report and analyze results of their work more effi ciently and in a way they could never do before with pencil and paper.
"The quality of this information and the reports it produces can take them from being just a trimmer to becoming a crucial part of the management team," says Keith Sather, owner of Feed Supervisor Software, which developed this system.
"It allows the trimmer, veterinarian, nutritionist and herd manager to better diagnose lameness and then identify and eliminate the cause of the problem, which is a major reason why cows are culled from dairy herds."
Hoof Supervisor combines a rugged hand-held touch screen computer with a sophisticated software program for recording detailed information about each trim session. The computer, which a hoof trimmer can use while wearing gloves, operates in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to plus 140 degrees F. and can withstand the impact of a 4-foot drop, Sather notes.
"Not only can you read the screen in direct sunlight but you can also wash off manure and dirt with a hose," he says. "The real beauty of this system is the type and amount of information the software can manage."
Here's how the system works: After a cow comes into the holding chute to be trimmed, you touch the computer screen to enter the cow's number. Once in the computer, you can use that number to check the cow's history in terms of such information as number of previous trims, dates of any blocking or wrapping and types of any lesions or abscesses. If the trim is routine, you indicate that on the touch screen and the session is completed. However, if you fi nd any problems, such as digital dermatitis, for example, you can record that.
The touch screen shows four cow hooves. Touching the hoof representing the one with the lesion enlarges that image. Then, you touch the area of the hoof where the lesion is. Then choosing from a list of diagnoses, you touch the appropriate one for this particular problem.
That information then becomes part of the cow's history file. Lesion data can be analyzed by the time of year, pen and stage of lactation.
"Hoof Supervisor uses the Dairy Claw Lesion Identifi cation system agreed upon by the International Lameness Committee," Sather says. "Using a standardized terminology for lesion identifi - cation is a major step toward identifying the cause and elimination of hoof health issues."
"An on-farm trimmer who may not be well-versed in identifying lesions can still use the system by touching the area of the hoof where the lesion was found. A professional trimmer can later identify the specifi c type of lesion based on the location."
The software program stores information on each cow trimmed by individual farm and can also produce a calendar, indicating when to re-check a cow.
In addition to producing reports for herdsmen, the system can be used to print reports suitable for billing with information like the number of cows trimmed, wrapped and blocked.
"At the end of the day, instead of having stacks of manure-stained paper that will probably get fi led away and forgotten, you can print out a professional-looking report that includes a graph showing the number of cows trimmed and the percentage found with various types of lesions," Sather says. "This can help everyone on the management team to focus on the problems and work to solve them."
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the International Agri-Center and Farm Press when reprinting this item.
HOOF SUPERVISOR SYSTEM |
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| COMPANY: | Feed Supervisor Software |
| CONTACT: | Keith Sather, Owner |
| ADDRESS: | 1733 90th Ave. Dresser WI 54009 |
| WEBSITE: | www.feedsupervisor.com |
| E-MAIL: | ksather@feedsupervisor.com |
| PHONE: | (715) 755-3575 |
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